Masirah Island

Masirah Island (), also referred to as Mazeira Island or ''Wilāyat Maṣīrah'' (), is an island off the east coast of mainland Oman in the Arabian Sea, and the largest island of the country. It is long north–south, between wide, with an area of about 649 km², and a population estimated at 12,000 in 12 villages mainly in the north of the island (9,292 as of the census of 2003, of which were 2,311 foreigners). It is divided from the mainland by the Masirah Channel.

Administratively, it forms one of the five provinces (''Wilayah'', plural ''Wilayat'') of the Ash Sharqiyah South Governorate. Previously it was a province of the Ash Sharqiyah Region. The principal village is ''Raʾs-Ḥilf'' () in the northern part of the island. It contains a Royal Air Force of Oman air base and a fish factory, as well as a few small towns. Previously, the BBC had a relay facility consisting of both HF and MF broadcasting transmitters stationed there. The main industries are fishing and traditional textile manufacturing. Formerly, traditional shipbuilding was important.

Most of the island's interior is deserted, with access to the island only possible by a small ferry for cars or by Royal Air Force of Oman Airbus A320 flights. Provided by Wikipedia